Clifton Park, NY Area Guide

Clifton Park gets its name from Nanning Harmansen, who wrote in 1707 that he wanted his new patent on the land to be called “Cliftons Park.” Created as "Clifton" in 1828, the town was renamed Clifton Park the following year. Initially consisting of mostly farmlands, Clifton Park experienced an economic boom when Interstate 87 was built. This brought about a dramatic rise in the residential population and commercial activity. Today, the town continues to maintain a sense of small-town community with local events and family-owned stores and restaurants.

Every four years, Clifton Park becomes the center of boys baseball, when it hosts the Babe Ruth World Series. Otherwise, residents can enjoy a rotating schedule of craft fairs and farmers markets with local merchants throughout the year. For a fall-themed celebration, check out the Apple Cider Celebration at Lindsey’s Country Store in November. During the summer, attend one of the town dinners and bring your specialty dish for this potluck event.

Clifton Park has a mix of chain restaurants and local spots, but residents frequent the main hub of neighborhood eateries at the intersection of Route 146 and Interstate 87.

Saigon Spring Restaurant serves up a Vietnamese and Asian-fusion theme and comes highly recommended by the locals. Try the spring rolls here, and make sure to come hungry, since portion sizes tend to be pretty large. Vegetarians also find a wide selection of options for every meal. Saigon Spring was named the 2014 Best Vietnamese Restaurant in the Capital Region, so you’re in good hands here.

If authentic Italian hits your heart, then Antipasto's offers hearty pastas and a knowledgeable staff to make you feel at home. It even offers gluten-free pasta and vegan cheese to accommodate for any special diets without skimping out on Italian flavor.

The typical late-night scene in Clifton Park takes residents to local bars and more relaxed hangout spots. Power’s Inn and Pub can start you off with dinner and keep you there for drinks in the pub area. Make sure to check the calendar for the frequent and popular live music nights that bring in a friendly crowd of regulars. The menu has some classic Irish dishes, and the building itself is actually an old inn, so there are several dining areas broken up like guest rooms, allowing for calm conversation away from the music in the main pub area.

While most residents of Clifton Park get around by car, there are some public transportation options for longer trips around the area or out of state. Amtrak’s Empire Service runs around the state and connects through the Albany-Rensselaer station, located in downtown Rensselaer, a city that’s across the Hudson River from Albany. From there, you can take the train west towards Chicago, or just two hours downstate to New York City.

Given Clifton Park’s close proximity to Albany, you can also get around the area with one of the local cab companies if you call ahead to book a ride. The tech-savvy crowd use Uber for quick and easy travelling.

The hamlets of Clifton Park have some sidewalks and wide roads, so biking is an option in most of the area, although some smaller villages have narrow streets that may not be as safe for biking or walking. Generally, residents tend to bike or walk for exercise, rather than as a form of transportation.

Because of its location in the Capital District, Clifton Park offers access to beautiful outdoor parks and bodies of water. Residents don’t need to go far to find a park that offers an outdoor activity.

For a day with the family, check out Players Park, a mini-golf park on Ballston Lake Road. This course has options for different skill levels and offers playing options at night, under a fully lighted sky. If you want to really fine-tune your game, you can take lessons on the long-range green from staffers who offer skills clinics.

Unlike many towns, Clifton Park is incredibly accommodating to its four-legged residents. Dog owners can head over to Mary Jane Row Dog Park to take advantage of a park specifically for walks and games of fetch. The park is only open to Clifton Park residents with a permit, which can be easily acquired at the town hall.

Clifton Park ranks as one of the area’s most expensive towns. It offers proximity to Albany and Saratoga and boasts a suburban sense of community. Its education system is highly rated, so families with children flock to the area. Clifton Park’s cost of living is higher than both the area average and the United States average. Renters pay around $1,200 per month, which is higher than average for the area.

Clifton Park is welcoming of locally-owned businesses, and many family-owned stores have opened their doors and been very successful through the years. Though there are chain stores in town and in the nearby area, Clifton Park has some local spots to supplement your shopping needs. One popular shopping area, Clifton Park Center, features both standard retailers and local businesses.

Clifton Park Center houses one of the region’s best local skincare and cosmetics boutiques, Bella Rouge Cosmetics. Known in the Capital District for being the place to go for hard-to-find products, the staff at Bella Rouge always make themselves available to give help and advice to customers. Whether you’re putting together a gift or buying for yourself, the range of beauty products available appeals to all ages and skin types.

Lindsey’s Country Store is a staple for Clifton Park residents. Head over to this well-known establishment for beautiful handcrafted gifts and collectibles. During the fall months, be sure to visit the store’s orchard, which grows 35 varieties of apples, and do your own apple-picking. You can also take care of some food shopping, and purchase locally-raised, hormone-free pork and beef.

If you're a meat lover, make sure to check out Primal, a local butcher that serves the region’s most popular steak tips. Choose from a wide assortment of locally-raised meat, and get tips about the best ways to serve them up from employees.